This Sunday brings us to the story of the Good Samaritan. It is probably all too familiar to us; but for this Sunday I would invite you to dig deeper into the ramifications of this story Jesus told. It's interesting that it wasn't told just as a part of addressing the crowd to give more information about the kingdom of God. What prompted his telling of it was that he was approached by a lawyer, and this man wanted to know what was necessary to inherit eternal life. Here is part of the text...

"But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' Jesus replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So, likewise, a Levity, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?' He said, "The one who showed him mercy.' Jesus said to him, 'Go and do like wise.' Luke 10:25-37

It's all about being a neighbor to someone in need. Since Jesus told this story from the viewpoint of the Samaritan helping a Jew, it invites us into how we are willing to help those who are different from us. The Samaritans and Jews had a long running history of hostility. They would not worship in the same place.

Now in our country with such diversity, we are encouraged to consider how we respond to those who are different from us. We all have to come to grips with our feelings and attitudes. Others we might dislike, but what happens when a need is presented to us?

Therefore, Jesus invites us to consider to whom you and I are neighbors. I would ask you to contemplate the living out of this parable in our own day. May God's blessings be upon your preparation for this Sunday's worship.